Casting Clues Hint at Major Villain for DC Studios’ Next Big Superman Film — Is Brainiac or Mongul Coming to Man of Tomorrow?

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DC Studios seems to be preparing for a huge battle in its growing movie universe. A recent report from Nexus Point News says they’re currently casting the main villain for James Gunn’s next film after Superman, called Man of Tomorrow. Based on early details, many fans believe the next big bad guy will be either Brainiac or Mongul.

According to sources at Nexus Point News, the movie is casting actors who are physically strong and imposing, and will use makeup and prosthetics to create the look of the villain. These details have quickly sparked a lot of online discussion and theories.

Brainiac and Mongul are powerful alien villains who appear in Superman comics. Bringing them to the screen requires a lot of visual effects and practical work to create their impressive appearances.

Two Titans of DC Lore

Brainiac, created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino in 1958, is a super-intelligent alien robot from the planet Colu. With an incredibly high intellect, he’s one of Superman’s greatest enemies. He’s known for collecting cities – literally shrinking and bottling them up as part of his bizarre collection.

His bright green skin and robotic parts fit the look we’re going for with the characters who have a lot of prosthetics, as discussed during casting.

Mongul first appeared in a DC Comics special issue in 1980, created by Len Wein and Jim Starlin. He’s a ruthless alien conqueror who controls Warworld, a huge planet transformed into a place where gladiators fight to the death.

He’s famous for being incredibly large and having yellowish skin, and is usually shown as a being of overwhelming strength, not intelligence. If the upcoming movie focuses on impressive physical power and grand scale, Mongul would be a fitting villain.

The Gunn-Safran Era Expands

James Gunn will write, direct, and produce the upcoming Superman film, with Peter Safran co-producing. The movie, currently called Man of Tomorrow, will star David Corenswet as Superman and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Though traditionally enemies, rumors suggest Superman and Lex Luthor might have to team up against a major, possibly cosmic, threat – potentially one of two powerful villains being considered.

According to reports from Nexus Point News, Milly Alcock (Supergirl), Jason Momoa (Lobo), and John Cena (Peacemaker) may also appear, continuing James Gunn’s plan for a connected DC Universe. Isabela Merced, who played Hawkgirl in Superman, suggested she’ll be back, posting “See you soon” on Instagram.

Production on the movie Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to start in Atlanta in April 2026 and continue throughout the summer. The film will be a sequel to James Gunn’s Superman, which premiered on July 11, 2025, as the first movie released by the newly formed DC Studios. Superman featured several key characters, including Lois Lane (played by Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), and Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion).

Why This Matters

Who Superman fights next in a movie will give us a strong idea of the direction the DC Universe is taking. Choosing Brainiac would mean the franchise is leaning towards complex, science-focused stories with universe-level threats. If they go with Mongul, expect a more action-packed, brutal story focused on powerful physical conflicts and large-scale battles.

This casting indicates that DC Studios is aiming big with its new universe. Following the start of the new Superman project, James Gunn and Peter Safran appear prepared to build a grand world and introduce a major villain for David Corenswet’s Superman to face.

DC Studios’ Man of Tomorrow is slated to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.

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2025-10-29 16:56